Reported by 1 source

The short version

  • Bonhams is auctioning Stanley Kubrick's personal archive in London this February, featuring props from major films like The Shining and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
  • The sale includes a special effects fire ax used in The Shining, designed with safety features to protect actors during the filming of a pivotal murder scene.
  • Other notable items include the Star Baby model from 2001: A Space Odyssey, which carries a high estimated value, alongside personal effects like a director's chair and chess set.

A significant collection of artifacts from the career of Stanley Kubrick is scheduled for auction in London on February 3. The sale, handled by Bonhams, offers collectors and film historians an opportunity to acquire items that were part of the director's personal archive rather than studio property. Before the final bidding takes place in the United Kingdom, highlights from the collection will be displayed at Bonhams locations in New York, Los Angeles, and Paris. This event marks a rare chance for the public to examine physical objects connected to some of cinema's most influential works.

Among the most anticipated items is a fire ax used during the production of The Shining, released in 1980. The prop appears in a critical scene where Jack Nicholson’s character, Jack Torrance, attacks Dick Hallorann, played by Scatman Crothers. Unlike a standard weapon, this specific ax was engineered for safety and visual effect. It is constructed from polyfoam covered with metalized sheeting and foil tape to simulate a metallic surface. The head lacks a traditional blade; instead, it features two sharp-ended metal bolts designed to puncture bags of fake blood hidden beneath Crothers’ costume.

News Journal

The design of the prop reflects the careful planning required for the film's only on-screen murder. To ensure actor safety, Crothers wore a protective chest shield composed of foam, fiberglass, and a steel plate. Alan Whibley, who led the special effects team, explained that the bolts were intended to grab the fiberglass layer without penetrating deeper. The steel plate served as a final safety measure, while the other layers absorbed the impact of Nicholson’s swings. This construction allowed for a convincing performance without risking injury to the cast members.

Production records indicate that multiple versions of the fire ax were created for the film. While up to 23 prop axes were used on set generally, only three were fitted with the specific bolts needed for the Hallorann death scene. One of these specialized props was sold at auction earlier this year, and another is believed to remain in the Warner Bros. archive. The ax included in Kubrick's personal collection bears small spots of fake blood on its handle, distinguishing it as a piece retained by the director himself.

The auction also features items from other notable films in Kubrick's bibliography. A fiberglass model known as the Star Baby from 2001: A Space Odyssey is expected to command a high price, with estimates reaching up to $1.1 million. This twenty-seven-inch figure appears briefly at the end of the science fiction classic and represents themes of evolution and ambiguity. Other lots include costumes worn by the twin sisters in The Shining, such as frilly blue dresses and black patent leather shoes, as well as a clapperboard from that production.

Beyond film props, the sale includes personal effects that offer insight into Kubrick's working habits and interests. A director’s chair with a pale green canvas seat and customized script boxes attached to the arms is among the items for bid. Additionally, several annotated scripts and a chess set are part of the collection. Kubrick was known to play chess during breaks in filming, often engaging with cast and crew members. These items provide a glimpse into the director's daily routine and his engagement with those around him on set.

Katharina Kubrick, the director’s stepdaughter, issued a statement regarding the sale. She expressed pride in sharing these unique items with the public, hoping they would find new homes and be cherished by future generations of film enthusiasts. The collection spans Kubrick's career, which began with his early interest in photography and work as a staff photographer for Look magazine at age 17. This background helped shape the visual style evident in later films such as Dr. Strangelove and A Clockwork Orange.

The auction serves as a tangible connection to Kubrick's legacy, allowing fans to own pieces of cinematic history. While the Stanley Hotel in Colorado inspired Stephen King’s novel for The Shining, and exterior shots were filmed at Timberline Lodge in Oregon, the props themselves represent the practical artistry involved in bringing those stories to life. The sale highlights not only the iconic status of these films but also the meticulous attention to detail that characterized Kubrick's approach to filmmaking.

Sources behind this briefing

Go to the original reporting

  • Smithsonian Magazine↗Stanley Kubrick's Personal Archive Is Going Up for Auction, Including the Ax From 'The Shining' and the Star Child From '2001: A Space Odyssey'